Smart Bets: John Prine

Singer-songwriter John Prine was working as a mail carrier when he began (reluctantly) singing at open mics. It was movie critic Roger Ebert who wrote Prine's first review. A positive one. It was a modest beginning for the career that would eventually spawn an Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and songs like "Sam Stone," "Angel from Montgomery" and "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness." He performs at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 20. 8 p.m. Tickets are $61.90 including fees. http://www.ticketmaster.com.